Freedom251 › Network Protocol Analyzers
CloudShark
What CloudShark is
CloudShark is a centrally deployed packet analysis platform for network and security teams. It works with PCAP, pcapng, and libpcap-compatible capture files, and supports the protocols and display filters available in Wireshark. Users can upload and split large captures, then search across the resulting files. Zeek and Suricata analysis lets analysts move from summary or alert information to related packets, while URL sharing opens the same capture and analysis for others. A REST API connects CloudShark Enterprise with ticketing systems, SIEM platforms, capture appliances, and other automation tools. Permission-based access and SSO are supported. The product is self-hosted, available as an OVA or in Docker, and does not require internet access to run or install. The OVA is officially supported on VMware ESXi 7 or 8 with a 64-bit x86_64 CPU. CloudShark is paid, with pricing on request and no free plan. CloudShark Personal costs $29 a month on a yearly subscription.
Who it suits
It suits network and security teams analyzing stored packet captures. Self-hosting fits organizations wanting packet data under their control.
What it does well
- Supports PCAP, pcapng, and libpcap files
- Wireshark protocols and filters supported
- Includes Zeek and Suricata analysis
- REST API integrations available
- No internet required to run or install
What to know first
- Live capture is not supported
- No free plan
- Docker deployments lack external LDAP/AD authentication
- OVA officially supports VMware ESXi 7 or 8
Limits
CloudShark has no free plan, and Enterprise pricing is provided on request. Live capture is unavailable; Docker deployments cannot use external LDAP/AD authentication.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CloudShark Personal | yearly subscription · Unlimited devices · one account | $29 a month |
| CloudShark Enterprise | One fixed price per year · unlimited users, instances, and data | On request |
As qacafe.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the CloudShark product website
- Choose CloudShark Personal or request Enterprise pricing
- Deploy the OVA on VMware ESXi 7 or 8, or use a Docker environment
- Use a 64-bit x86_64 CPU for the OVA
- Upload packet captures and analyze them through the web platform
Verdict
CloudShark provides self-hosted packet analysis with Wireshark-compatible filtering, threat-analysis pivots, sharing, and integrations. Buyers should check operating-system, hypervisor, and deployment requirements before choosing a plan.
Questions
What capture formats does CloudShark support?
It supports PCAP, pcapng, and libpcap-compatible capture files.
Can CloudShark analyze live traffic?
No. Live capture is not supported.
What is the CloudShark Personal price?
CloudShark Personal costs $29 a month, billed on a yearly subscription.
How can Enterprise be deployed?
CloudShark Enterprise is available as an OVA or can be deployed in Docker environments.
Does it require internet access?
Internet access is not required to install or run CloudShark Enterprise.
Which integrations are available?
Its REST API connects with ticketing systems, SIEM platforms, capture appliances, and other automation tools.
Facts from CloudShark's own pages
- Authentication
- The product page states that CloudShark Enterprise supports permission-based access and SSO. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Data control
- CloudShark Enterprise is self-hosted, keeping packet data under the customer’s control without third-party cloud services or external storage dependencies. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- CloudShark Enterprise is available as an OVA and can also be deployed in Docker environments. · support.qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Docker limitation
- External LDAP/AD authentication is not supported for Docker deployments, while SAML and OAuth remain available. · support.qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2001 · qacafe.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Dover, New Hampshire, USA · qacafe.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The REST API connects CloudShark Enterprise with ticketing systems, SIEM platforms, capture appliances, and other automation tools. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Internet requirement
- Internet access is not required to run or install CloudShark Enterprise. · support.qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Large captures
- Users can upload and split large captures, then search across split files with Wireshark display filters. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Packet analysis
- It supports the protocols and display filters supported by Wireshark. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CloudShark Enterprise is a centrally deployed packet analysis platform for network and security teams. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Analysis can be shared through a URL so others can open the same capture and analysis. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- QA Cafe provides CloudShark installation, user, administration, and API guides, and directs customers to support by email. · support.qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The OVA is officially supported on VMware ESXi 7 or 8 and requires a 64-bit x86_64 CPU; other hypervisors may work but are not officially supported. · support.qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Threat analysis
- CloudShark includes Zeek and Suricata analysis and lets users pivot from summary or alert data to packets. · qacafe.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where CloudShark stands on Freedom251
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